US Department of Labor, Mexican Consulate in San Jose renew partnership to educate, protect workers’ rights under federal law

Participants: U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division

                        Consulate of Mexico in San Jose, California

The U.S. Department of Labor announced the renewal of the partnership between its San Jose Wage and Hour Division District Office and the Mexican Consulate in San Jose. The collaboration between the countries helps inform the greater San Jose community about workers’ rights under federal labor laws, bring employers into compliance and combat abuses against vulnerable workers.

Background: Reaffirming the ongoing partnership is a valuable way to strengthen the relationship between the U.S. and Mexico and promote outreach activities designed to make workers aware of their rights and employers aware of their responsibilities under the law.

Under the partnership, workers in San Jose and the surrounding areas will have access to education and training materials that will help them understand their workplace rights, minimum wage, overtime, recordkeeping, child labor, safe housing and transportation laws. A special focus will be placed on reducing violations of federal laws the Wage and Hour Division enforces, including the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act, and the H-2A and H-2B programs under the Immigration and Nationality Act.

Duration: Three years

Quotes: “The formal renewal of the existing collaboration between the U.S. Department of Labor and Mexican Consulates signifies our continued commitment to protecting workers against abuse and exploitation,” explained Wage and Hour Division District Director Francisco Ocampo in San Jose, California. “It is our hope that this successful partnership will continue to play a critical role in the communities we serve.”

“This memorandum of understanding with the federal Department of Labor of the United States is very important because it is one more tool that allows us to support our community and our workers, regardless of their immigration status,” said Consul General Alejandra Bologna Zubikarai of the Consulate of Mexico in San Jose. “It is a priority for us that the rights of any Mexican worker are respected.”